Publication:

A prospective study on surgical management of lumbar spondylolisthesis with pedicle screw fixation and posterolateral fusion

Background Spondylolisthesis is a subluxation of vertebral body over another in sagittal plane. Incidence of Spondylolisthesis in general population is 5-7%. No matter what the etiology is, patients usually have significant functional disability. Few studies have investigated the long term effect of pedicle screws fixation and posterolateral fusion on functional outcome. Objectives of this study were assessment of lumbar spondylolisthesis, the results of posterolateral fusion using autogenous bone graft from iliac crest and stabilization by pedicle screws fixation systemand to evaluate the clinical and radiological assessment of symptoms improvement and fusion rates of this procedure and functional outcome.

Methods A total of 30 patients of lumbar spondylolisthesis who are operated upon with posterior stabilization using Pedicle Screws fixation and postero lateral fusion satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria and followed up between February 2015 and January 2017.

Results The study included 30 patients; aged between 21 to 60 yrs with a mean age of 46 yrs. Average follow up was 17 months. Functional outcome assessment with Kirkadly-Willis criteria showed 90% of excellent to good outcome.

Conclusions We found in our study that posterolateral fusion with Pedicle Screws fixation minimizes dislocation, achieves adequate decompression, corrects the sagittal axis, and accomplishes fusion. We successfully achieved solid fusion with good mechanical alignment in majority of the patients.